Rule 223.Jury List in Certain Counties
Last amended September 1, 1990 · Last verified June 28, 2026
Full Text of Rule 223
Plain-English Summary
In counties that use an interchangeable-jury system under the Government Code, the names on the general panel are kept in the random order in which they were selected, and jurors are assigned from the top. Rule 223 adds the jury shuffle: once a case is assigned a panel, any party may demand — before voir dire begins — that the judge place the panel members' names in a receptacle, shuffle them, and draw them, transcribing the new order onto the jury list.
The shuffle is a one-time right. There is only one shuffle and drawing by the trial judge in each case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a jury shuffle in Texas?
It is a one-time reshuffling of the assigned jury panel's order. Under Rule 223, in counties using interchangeable juries, a party may demand before voir dire that the judge shuffle and redraw the panel's names. Only one shuffle is allowed per case.
Who can demand a jury shuffle in Texas?
Any party or attorney in the case, once a panel has been assigned to a particular court. Rule 223 lets that party demand the shuffle before voir dire begins.
How does the jury shuffle work under Rule 223?
The judge places the panel members' names in a receptacle, shuffles them, and draws them out one at a time, then transcribes the new order onto the jury list used to pick the jury.